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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Thursday, December 18, 2025 | Vol 58 Issue 50

Community News
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News

From Seed to Plate community fridge coming to Erin

Robin George January 31, 2024News

ERIN – A community fridge and freezer will soon be installed in front of Centre 2000, offering a place for people to pick up fresh food 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Town of Minto approves rezoning for high-density Palmerston development

Patrick Raftis January 31, 2024Community News, News

MINTO – A bylaw amending zoning on a lot in Palmerston to facilitate a high-density development was approved by town council on Jan. 23.

Council declares park surplus, opens door for new Catholic high school in Fergus

Joanne Shuttleworth January 30, 2024News

FERGUS – Centre Wellington council voted on Jan. 29 to declare Strathallan Park surplus property and sell it to the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) to facilitate construction of a new school.

Dr. Tenenbaum talks to parents about vaping

Joanne Shuttleworth January 30, 2024News

GUELPH – With the well-being of children and youth part of its strategic plan, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) held a virtual information session for parents and guardians on vaping.

County approves 2024 budget with 4.6% tax levy increase

Patrick Raftis January 26, 2024Community News, News

GUELPH – Wellington County council has approved a 2024 budget with a 4.6% increase to the local tax levy. The increase will cost residential taxpayers $30 for each $100,000 increment of their home's valuation.

Planned automated speed enforcement trial to include areas in Mapleton

Patrick Raftis January 25, 2024Community News, News

MAPLETON – Five school zones and one community safety zone in Mapleton will be part of a trial automated speed enforcement (ASE) program on Wellington County roads.

Hillsburgh man suing province after OPP raid on cannabis facility

Jordan Snobelen January 25, 2024Community News, News

GUELPH – A Hillsburgh man is suing the province for $2 million following an OPP raid on his Wellington North property in August 2021.

Noah Irvine ‘Learning to Live’ after death of his parents

Joanne Shuttleworth January 25, 2024Arts & Entertainment, News

GUELPH – After a letter-writing campaign in 2017 calling for a national suicide prevention strategy, Noah Irvine turned his attention to writing a book.

Mount Forest Foodland hosts grand opening

Nicole Beswitherick January 25, 2024Business, Community News, News

MOUNT FOREST – On the morning of Jan. 25, community members gathered inside the new Foodland in the north end of Mount Forest for the store's grand opening.

Near miss prompts response to crossing guard, child safety

Jordan Snobelen January 25, 2024Community News, News

KENILWORTH – On Dec. 7 a Wellington North parent reported she and her son were nearly struck by a passing car at Victoria Cross Public School in Mount Forest.

‘Let’s have a family party’ for Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27

Nicole Beswitherick January 25, 2024News

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Library branches in Wellington County and Guelph are hosting events on Jan. 27 for the 25th anniversary of Family Literacy Day.

Police seek tips in separate thefts in Fergus, Elora

Advertiser Staff January 25, 2024News, Police

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Local police are looking for the public's help to identify those responsible for two recent thefts in the township.

St. Mary Catholic School closed following electrical fire; damage estimate over $4 million

Advertiser Staff January 25, 2024Community News, News

MOUNT FOREST – A fire on the morning of Jan. 25 has closed St. Mary Catholic School in Mount Forest. Nobody was injured in the fire that is estimated to have caused over $4 million in damage. Fire officials say the fire is not considered suspicious.

Township to consider selling Strathallan Park to Catholic school board

Joanne Shuttleworth January 25, 2024News

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Council here will decide on Monday whether to declare Strathallan Park as surplus property and sell it to the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).

UGDSB has limited data on hate-motivated harm against 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff

Robin George January 25, 2024News

GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) has official records of less than 60 incidents of hate directed against 2SLGBTQIA+ students and staff from November 2022 to December 2023, but UGDSB spokesperson said most incidents are going unreported.

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Select Your Region

Hanover theatre casting for School of Rock

HANOVER – Based on the hit 2003 film, School of Rock the musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed wannabe rock star who is down on his luck. 

Hanover Community Players thank all who made Bare, Bear Bones a success

HANOVER – Hanover Community Players are offering “A big thank you to all of our audience members who took the time from their busy schedules to attend and support our Bare, Bear Bones shows.”

See all Bruce County area articles.

Mayor’s Golf Tournament raises almost $25,000 for food bank

ELORA – The Mayor’s Golf Tournament, held in September, raised almost $25,000 for the Centre Wellington Food Bank.

Sacred harmonies fill St. John’s Anglican Church in Elora

ELORA – On an otherwise cold and quiet night in Elora last week, St. John’s Anglican Church was filled with warm, layered voices singing sacred choral music that echoed off the building’s 150-year-old walls.

See all Centre Wellington area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

See all Dufferin County area articles.

Erin council passes budget with 3.8% tax hike

ERIN – It wasn't a unanimous decision, but town council here has approved the 2026 budget with a tax rate increase of 3.8 per cent – up from the 2.5% originally proposed.

Two health workshops in December at EWFHT

ERIN – December will be light on community workshops at the East Wellington Family Health Team as only two workshops are on offer.

See all Erin area articles.

Enbridge, Grand Valley fire department partner on Safe Community Project Zero

GRAND VALLEY – On Nov. 4, Enbridge Gas Ontario and the Grand Valley and District Fire Department worked together to improve home safety and attempt to bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

‘Gourd’ times to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair

GRAND VALLEY – “Gourd” times are sure to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair.

See all Grand Valley area articles.

Hanover Community Players Drama Camp a success

HANOVER – The Hanover Community Players Drama Camp took place in July with mask making, drama games and auditions and a play.

Holstein to host an afternoon of bluegrass entertainment

HOLSTEIN – Residents of Holstein can look forward to an afternoon of bluegrass at the Love’s Sugarbush located at 392098 Grey Rd 109, on Aug. 17.

See all Grey County area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

See all Guelph area articles.

Guelph/Eramosa passes budget with 2.7% tax rate increase

BRUCEDALE  – Gyelph/Eramosa council has passed the municipality’s 2026 budget, which will include a 2.71 per cent tax rate increase for 2026.

Province gives green light to controversial ‘Hidden Quarry’ after 13-year saga

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The province has green-lit a new aggregate operation 13 years after James Dick Construction first applied to tap into a dolomite deposit at the so-called “Hidden Quarry” southeast of Rockwood.

See all Guelph/Eramosa area articles.

Joseph Racinsky rides blue wave to Queen’s Park

WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – The blue wave that swept across Ontario Thursday night, swept across Wellington-Halton Hills as well as Progressive Conservative candidate Joseph Racinsky was elected with a sweeping majority. 

Health care, roads, voter turnout, local knowledge dominate discussion at Aberfoyle debate

ABERFOYLE – The debate hosted by the Optimist Club of Puslinch on Feb. 20 gave voters the opportunity to ask their own questions.

See all Halton area articles.

Youth pack shoeboxes to help kids through Operation Christmas Child

HANOVER – Lita Ernest, a young member of 1st Hanover Guides, worked hard this season to organize the packing of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoe box gifts with her troop.

See all Huron County area articles.

Township considering dike extension to reduce Drayton flooding

MAPLETON – Flooding has been an ongoing problem in Drayton for many years, and Mapleton councillors agree something needs to be done about it. And that “something” could cost $4.3 million over 10 years. 

Festivities flooded Drayton for Santa’s parade

DRAYTON – Santa and Mrs. Claus prepare to make their grand entrance at the fire hall following Drayton’s festive parade on Dec. 5, ready to greet excited children and their parents

See all Mapleton area articles.

Another cyclist dies after being struck by a vehicle

MINTO – The most recent incident took place on Dec. 9 at about 5:30pm. Emergency crews responded to a collision between two vehicles and a cyclist on Highway 9 near Anna's Lane, just outside Harriston.

Minto water rate rising 4%; wastewater going up 2%

MINTO – Minto residents can expect their wastewater rates to increase by two per cent next year. 

See all Minto area articles.

Credit Valley Conservation named one of Canada’s greenest employers

MISSISSAUGA  – Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year.

See all Mississauga area articles.

Grand Valley business donates to food bank

ORANGEVILLE – Staff members from Grand Valley’s Clover Farm grocery store recently presented a $10,000 cheque to representatives from the Orangeville Food Bank’s Dufferin Food Share.

School board explores bringing IB diploma program to Wellington, Dufferin

GUELPH –  Some parents and students would like the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program to be offered in Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) schools in Wellington and Dufferin counties. 

See all Orangeville area articles.

Santa Claus parades through Palmerston

PALMERSTON – Crowds lined Palmerston’s main street on Dec. 6 to watch this year’s Santa Claus Parade. 

Minto hosting annual New Year’s Eve party

PALMERSTON – The Town of Minto, Minto Fire and the Palmerston Lions Club have joined forces to host Minto’s annual Fire and Ice Family New Year’s Eve Party.

See all Palmerston area articles.

Over $6.6 million in OMPF funding to be split by seven local municipalities

PERTH-WELLINGTON –  On Nov. 24, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced over $6.6 million for local municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) for 2026.

MPP Rae announces over $20 million in housing enabling infrastructure funding

PERTH-WELLINGTON – Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced the province has provided four municipalities with over $20.4 million through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) program.

See all Perth County area articles.

Municipality hopes natural gas heating can come to Puslinch

ABERFOYLE – Enbridge Gas found a supportive audience at the Puslinch council meeting on Nov. 19 as it explained its plans for natural gas expansion across the province and possibly into the township.

Santa Claus arrives in Puslinch with reindeer – and joy

PUSLINCH – Puslinch was the first in Wellington County to hold its Santa Claus parade and the streets were lined with locals on Nov. 23 ready to greet the big guy.

See all Puslinch area articles.

Province releases fall economic statement

TORONTO – The Ontario government released its fall economic statement last week (Nov. 6) with a smaller than projected deficit of $13.5-billion – less than the $14.6 billion forecasted in this year’s budget, but still well above the $1.1 billion deficit carried in 2024-25.

Cheering from the big screen at World Series game

TORONTO – Callum Sweeting was on the big screen at game one of the World Series at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 24.

See all Toronto area articles.

Cardiac director: pace yourself when shovelling snow this winter

KITCHENER  – As heavy snow hits the region, local emergency departments are preparing for a spike in cardiac events. 

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy announces youth theatre camps

WATERLOO – The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy has announced its lineup of march break and summer camps for 2026. 

See all Waterloo Region area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

County food banks seek donations to meet growing need

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The rising cost of living, compounded by annual holiday expectations, has left many county residents struggling to make ends meet.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Wellington North approves budget, 3.2% tax levy increase

WELLINGTON NORTH – Wellington North council has approved the township's 2026 budget, including a tax levy increase of 3.16%. 

Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation to ‘light up’ hospital until Dec. 23

MOUNT FOREST – The Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation is hoping to once again make things a little brighter for the staff and patients who will be spending time at the hospital this holiday season.

See all Wellington North area articles.

Editorial

Season of giving

Helping others is contagious this time of year.

The pickpocket

Travel anywhere crowds form and tourists are warned to watch for pickpockets.

In the darkness

Where there is one, there are usually more. That was the advice handed down in the truck as we headed off to practice. A good-sized buck ambled across the road not far from our farm.

Columnists

To Santa

By Kelly Waterhouse

Hey Big Guy, I hope this letter finds you jolly and that your reindeer are healthy and ready for the epic Christmas Eve world tour, where I know children anticipate your mysterious arrival and the subsequent leaving of presents. 

Fergus widow horrified at empty grave of husband

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

Palmerston railroad worker proved hard to track

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

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